As many as 14 people including three women aged 59 to 64 have been arrested by Melbourne police in an alleged multi-million dollar heroin syndicate.
Following an eight-month investigation in Operation Isoleucine targeting a sophisticated crime network, nine simultaneous warrants were carried out at homes in Braybrook, Thornbury, Mentone, Footscray, Richmond, Sunbury, Fitzroy and Flemington.
Superintendent Ross Guenther said the arrests will stop millions of dollars of heroin from hitting the streets of Victoria.
Supt Guenther said that this syndicate was manufacturing approximately $250,000 worth of heroin a week.
“Make no mistake, these people have been running this like a business, every day, turning over huge amounts of money, at the expense of our community.
Properties, including a family home where cash was found inside childrens toys, were raided on Thursday and, as police continued to search through the early afternoon, 14 people were already in custody.
The properties raided included a modern townhouse in Ruby Way, Braybrook, where police seized cars, and an apartment in a public housing residential tower on the corner of Lennox and Elizabeth streets in Richmond.
The apartment is a short distance from Victoria Street, one of Melbourne’s most notorious heroin markets.
“A number of items have been seized from the properties including, quantities of white powder, believed to be heroin, large sums of cash, luxury items believed to be the proceeds of crime and equipment believed to be used for drug manufacturing.
“The successful conclusion of today’s operation is an example of our continued effort to disrupt the activities of drug traffickers.
“I want the community to be assured that we will not stop targeting these individuals and syndicates and will continue to fight to keep these drugs off the streets.
“Victoria Police is committed to the ongoing safety of our community.”
Source: Victoria Police News